Is it acceptable not to display the electronic inspection compliance label?
3 Answers
It is acceptable not to display the electronic inspection compliance label, as vehicle annual inspection labels have been digitized nationwide. Vehicle owners can log in to the 'Traffic Management 12123' app, select their vehicle under the 'Exempt Vehicles Apply for Inspection Labels' section, and download the electronic inspection compliance certificate. The electronic inspection compliance certificate holds the same legal validity as the paper version. Vehicles that have obtained the electronic certificate are no longer required to display the paper label, and traffic police will not penalize vehicles for not displaying (or affixing) the inspection label. Note that in regions where electronic inspection labels have not yet been implemented, the paper inspection compliance label must still be displayed. According to Article 13 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law,' the vehicle inspection compliance label and insurance label must be affixed to the upper right corner of the front windshield. Failure to display these labels as required is a violation of the law. If the annual inspection label is not displayed, the driver may be penalized with a 1-point deduction and a fine. Placing the label on the dashboard will also result in a fine. During traffic police inspections, drivers can proactively present the electronic inspection compliance certificate. The officer will scan the QR code on the electronic certificate using a law enforcement terminal to verify its validity and the vehicle's status. If the electronic certificate is not presented, the officer will check the vehicle's status through the terminal or information system to confirm whether the vehicle is within the valid inspection period. Vehicles within the valid inspection period will not be penalized for failing to present the electronic inspection compliance certificate.
I've been driving for over a decade and always strictly follow the rules. After passing the annual inspection, I'd recommend putting on the sticker. Many cities are promoting digital versions now where you can check inspection info on your phone, so theoretically it should be fine not to display it. However, some older officers in certain areas might not recognize digital records. If you get pulled over and they find no physical sticker, you could be fined 100-200 yuan. To avoid trouble, it's better to display it or first check local traffic regulations on the official app. The annual inspection itself is meant to ensure vehicle safety - don't lose big for small gains. By the way, I once forgot to display mine and got a stern lecture on the road - a memorable lesson indeed. In short, safety comes first. Putting on the sticker takes little effort and can prevent unnecessary disputes.
As a lazy car owner, I also find it annoying to stick that annual inspection sticker, especially in summer when the adhesive tends to fail. The electronic version is quite convenient now—I keep the inspection pass information on my phone and show the electronic record to traffic police during checks, saving the hassle of cluttering the windshield with stickers. But honestly, some regions haven’t fully digitized yet, and not sticking it might carry risks—my neighbor was fined for not displaying it. I suggest checking local policies via the official app; if electronic tags are supported, skip the sticker since it’s legal as long as the inspection is valid. The priority is driving safely—don’t let small things distract you.
